I am a retired Lieutenant from the Franklin Twp. Police Department where I served for 30+ years. I organized and supervised the mobilization of large scale operations along with working in major crimes and special operations. I assisted the FBI, DEA, Secret Service, State Police, along with the joint terrorism task force on multiple robbery, narcotics, murder, gang activity and assault investigations. I was promoted to Lieutenant and in that capacity I supervised 16 Officers and 4 Sergeants, running day to day operations. I assisted the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office in several large-scale drug sweeps for distribution and possession. I served as Liaison to the Somerset County Narcotics Task Force and was a Somerset County Superior Court recognized court expert in narcotics. From 1996 to 2002 I served on the NJ State PBA Executive Board as Sergeant at Arms Trustee and Vice President. In 2007 I received the NJ State PBA Silver Valor Award and the Hamilton St. Business District Commendation. In 2009 I received the Marconi Foundation Public Servant of the Year award. In 2015 the Franklin Advocate named me Man of the Year. I was also a two time recipient of the Somerset County 200 Club Valor award.

Why are you running for Sheriff?

I’m running for Somerset County Sheriff because the current department leadership provides limited direct support to the people of Somerset County and is not an active resource to the families they serve. Most people in Somerset County don’t know who the Sheriff is. As a street cop in Franklin, I know the value of officers being active and known in the communities they serve. During my time supervising plain clothes units and even in patrol, I always made it a point to reach out and be a part of the community, working with community leaders, schools, and business owners to clean up the neighborhoods. When I was promoted to Lieutenant, I led my team of officers and sergeants to be visible and active in our neighborhoods, getting to know the people.

I plan to implement programs to help improve our community that include protecting our schools and places of worship, forming a task force aimed at combating hate crimes, and overhauling our prisoner reentry programs to ensure that folks who leave jail don’t end up back inside. But first and foremost, I am running for sheriff to bring the department out from the office and into the lives of our community members.

What area would you focus on immediately if (when) you are voted in?

On day one I would immediately implement community policing rotations for our officers, getting them out of the office and into the communities where they can do the most good. At the same time, my focus will be on overhauling our prisoner reentry program. I have seen firsthand the damage done to individuals, families and communities when people re-entering society from jail are unable to resume productive lives and instead resort to crime to support themselves. When offered the proper resources, the majority of people reentering society from jail leave crime behind and can become productive citizens and taxpayers who contribute to our communities. When prisoners reenter society properly, it helps to build local economies and safe communities for everyone. That is why I will work with non-profit, county and state resources to ease reentry for residents who have served their sentences and have returned to their home communities.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Rutgers officials are looking into whether any of the apparently college-aged students shown in a viral video using the n-word are from the New Brunswick campus or from another Rutgers campus or other New Jersey college.

Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, issued a statement on the college's Facebook page late Thursday afternoon - just days after the ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Rutgers officials are looking into whether any of the apparently college-aged ...

Owner of Venus Jewelers, Dr. Peter Stavrianidis, and his staff were thrilled to provide the venue for Franklin Township advocates to gather, celebrate and share their vision for the proposed Franklin YMCA. More than 30 guests including Mayor Phillip Kramer, attended ...

SOMERSET, NJ - An unspecified number of residents have been displaced from their homes after an early morning fire on Becket Place.

"Residents from two condominiums were displaced as a result of fire, smoke and water damage," FTPD Lt. Phil Rizzo said in a news release. "All the displaced residents are staying with family or friends in the area."

Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting a ...

SOMERSET, NJ - An unspecified number of residents have been displaced from their homes after an ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ –As they have for 76 years, thousands of spectators will gather this Memorial Day to cheer elite cyclists as they circle the streets of Somerville in America’s oldest bicycle race. For the bike racers it’s all hard work. But for those attending the free event which Sports Illustrated once dubbed “the greatest bargain in sport,” it’s much more.

Throughout the day musicians, ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ –As they have for 76 years, thousands of spectators will gather this Memorial Day to ...

Incorporate arbors, trellises and other structures into your designs when planning new or updating existing gardens and landscapes. These structures help form the framework of any garden, add year-round interest and provide years of beauty and function.

Utilize arbors to define and connect distinct areas of the landscape. Invite visitors into your landscape with a vine-covered arbor. Guests ...

Incorporate arbors, trellises and other structures into your designs when planning new or updating ...

NEW JERSEY -- Remodeling experts and HGTV stars, Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, were guests on One-on-One with Steve Adubato, sharing their latest projects as well as guidance for homeowners with the itch to renovate.

“The biggest thing you can do is plan,” advised John Colaneri. “Contractors in general have not been great at communication, and the crux of the entire renovation is ...

NEW JERSEY -- Remodeling experts and HGTV stars, Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, were guests on ...